Turf toe to sideline Falcons QB Ryan
November 30, 2009
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP)—The Atlanta Falcons will be without quarterback MattRyan(notes) as they try to improve their playoff hopes in a key NFC game againstPhiladelphia this week.
Coach Mike Smith(notes) said Monday that Ryan will miss at least one game with aturf toe injury. Chris Redman(notes), who took over for Ryan in Sunday’s 20-17 win overTampa Bay, will start against the Eagles.
Before the win over the Buccaneers, Redman had not attempted a pass sincehis last start in the final game of the 2007 season. Redman completed 23 of 41passes for 243 yards with two touchdowns, including a 5-yard scoring pass toRoddy White(notes) with 23 seconds remaining, and no interceptions against Tampa Bay.
“It was good to get back out there and get back into the game and get afeel for it,” Redman said Monday.
Ryan did not return after he injured his right big toe on the first seriesagainst the Buccaneers. Smith would not speculate on Ryan’s status beyond thisweek.
“During the week he’s going to work with our medical staff diligently toget back as quick as he can,” Smith said.
The Falcons (6-5) lost three more starters on offense against Tampa Bay.
Running back Michael Turner(notes) aggravated his right ankle sprain in his returnafter missing one game. The team also lost offensive linemen Harvey Dahl(notes) (rightankle and Achilles’ tendon) and Sam Baker(notes) (left elbow).
Smith said Turner has not been ruled out of this week’s game.
Smith added he plans to carry only two quarterbacks on the roster againstthe Eagles. Rookie John Parker Wilson(notes), who has never been on the active rosterfor a game, will be Redman’s backup.
The Falcons released quarterback D.J. Shockley(notes) earlier this season.
Ryan has passed for 2,291 yards with 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Hehas completed 59.4 percent of his passes, a slight dropoff from his 61.1percentage last year when he won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Redman, Joey Harrington(notes) and Byron Leftwich(notes) were Atlanta’s startingquarterbacks in 2007. The team struggled to a 4-12 finish following the NFLsuspension of former Falcons star Michael Vick(notes), who will return to Atlanta thisweek as Philadelphia’s backup.
Redman passed for four touchdowns with no interceptions in the Falcons’44-41 win over Seattle to end the 2007 season.
“Chris has got a lot of confidence in his ability and when he has had anopportunity to play in this league he has played effectively,” Smith said. “Idon’t anticipate there is going to be a significant dropoff in the effectivenessof our offense.”
Smith said Redman should benefit from his first significant playing time intwo years.
“That’s just part of being a backup, when you don’t have that many practicesnaps you just have to take mental reps,” Redman said. “That’s definitelydifferent than getting out there and doing it yourself, and I could tell duringthe game just timing was a little off between me and Roddy and a couple of theguys. But everybody hung tough with me and we pulled through.”
It will be the first game Ryan has not started in his two-year career. Hemade every start last season when he led the Falcons to an 11-5 record and aplayoff berth.
Ryan had a walking boot on his injured foot and wore a black warmup suit ashe watched Redman rally the Falcons past Tampa Bay in the final minute Sunday.
Redman said the Falcons’ ability to overcome the four injuries shouldprovide a confidence boost.
“There was no panic at all,” he said.
“I think it does show the depth we have and I think that’s something youneed if you’re going to be a playoff contending team.”
Before Smith announced Ryan will not play, center Todd McClure(notes) said the teamwould have confidence in Redman as the starter.
“You’d like to have your starters, but if Redman is the guy, we have a tonof confidence in Redman,” McClure said. “One thing that will be key and is keyevery week is getting our running game going and taking pressure off of him.”
Turner was held to 33 yards rushing on 12 carries before he hurt his ankleagain. Backup running back Jerious Norwood(notes) returned after missing five gameswith a hip injury and had six carries for 22 yards.